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Cromwell.Let us return to where we were before.
Sometimes, 'twould seem, you have consorted with
This Cromwell, now the object of your scorn?
Murray.Ay, for a purpose. One cannot fight on
For ever, like Montrose.
Cromwell. For ever, like Montrose. I understand:
My gentleman some goodly office sought
At the vile tyrant's hands, pending the time
When he could sell him to the outlawed King.
Murray.How blunt you are!
Cromwell. How blunt you are! I know nought of fine words.
Murray [aside.]
Cromwell. The fellow! You were ill received by Cromwell,
Your prayer denied, perchance?
Murray. Your prayer denied, perchance? Denied? ah, no!
Cromwell [aside.
How he doth lie!
Murray. How he doth lie! Nay, on the contrary,
The bear to me was most obsequious.
He felt the compliment I paid to him,
And left me free to choose among the gifts
At his disposal.
Cromwell [aside.] …sposal. Ay, between the door
And window.
And… [Aloud.]Why, then, turn against hir now?
Murray.Oh! I reflected. How consent to serve
A churl who reigns like some jack-corporal
Giving an order; a mere clodhopper
Who tries to smile at you but shows his teeth,
And answers a salute with knees turned in?
Cromwell.I understand.
Murray. I understand. And then I learned his fall
Was near at hand.
Cromwell. Was near at hand. Whereon the right divine
Of th' exiled Stuarts to your mind recurred?